Mortensen, Cassel Back for Eastern Promises 2

Finally, here is a sequel to be excited about. When last we left underboss Kirill (Vincent Cassel) and henchman Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) at the end of David Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises,” Kirill believes he and Nikolai have inherited the throne from his crime-lord father. However, he is unaware that Nikolai is actually a clandestine agent working undercover in Russia’s federal security service.

For the sequel, Vulture reports, both Mortensen and Cassel are in negotiations to reprise their roles and Cronenberg will be back to direct. Also returning to the project is screenwriter Steven Wright, who penned the script for the original. So far, Naomi Watts isn’t expected to return. During a press junket for “Fair Game” two years ago, Watts told MTV News she hadn’t received any calls stating otherwise.

Filming for “Eastern Promises 2” should begin some time early next year right after Mortensen has finished work on “The Two Faces of January” this fall. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel, that thriller is directed by newcomer Hossein Amni. “The Two Faces of January” revolves around American con artist Chester Mcfarland, who accidentally kills a Greek policeman who is investigating him.

Until then, Viggo Mortensen can next be seen in “On the Road,” which is due to hit theaters this fall.